BANNER ELK, N.C. — As people struggle with loss in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, therapy dogs are providing some support.
On Thursday in Banner Elk, the North Carolina Department of Insurance set up an insurance camp outside of Lowe's. Several companies were there to provide assistance and answer questions about claims. Among the volunteers were a couple of four-legged ones, too.
One therapy dog named Poppy offered smiles and snuggles to anyone who needed it.
"She's here to help support and give snuggles," said Kate Younger, Poppy's owner.
The pup has been offering support around the Boone area since Hurricane Helene hit the town.
"A week ago, there were a lot of tears, a lot of shell-shocked faces, a lot of people just needing to hug and have someone to pet, and some free food," Younger said.
Younger lives in Boone and said her home was spared from damage, but she's been devastated to see the destruction all around her. Since the storm, she and her neighbors have been volunteering in hard hit areas.
"We just kinda go where we’re needed," Younger said. "We collect food and furniture and different things, and she's just my extra little bonus that helps people."
Younger estimates she and her neighbors cooked and handed out 4,000 hot dogs the first week after Helene. She brought Poppy to the insurance village to try to reduce stress.
"It's a pretty cool thing that a dog can come in and calm people down and settle them down and put people at ease," said Bradley Myers, an insurance agent.
The insurance village will return to the Banner Elk Lowe's on Friday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. NCDOI also has a victim assistance center set up in Boone on Friday, Oct. 11.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.